Donald Kotouch Jr. was voted out of office by union rank and file last year. Given his penchant for theft, it’s hard to imagine a different outcome. Kotouch, formerly president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1738, was indicted on October 5 by a Pittsburgh federal grand jury on charges of embezzling $18,806 in funds from and falsifying financial records of the Latrobe, Pa. union, which represents nearly 200 Pittsburgh-area bus system workers, mainly drivers. If convicted he faces up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
Federal prosecutors allege that Kotouch, 51, a resident of Latrobe, during 2005-09 submitted false expense claims for “reimbursement” for office rent and membership fees which actually went to pay personal expenses. The U.S. Labor Department, seeing discrepancies in union financial reports, conducted an investigation, which led to an indictment. Kotouch was voted out of office last year. Union officials could not be reached for comment.